Comparison of Ayoub Shklar Stain, Dane Herman, Modified Pap and Routine Hematoxylin and Eosin Stain for the Keratin Identification.

Introduction: Keratin constitutes the most abundant constituent of cytoskeleton of all epithelia and thus provides a mechanical support for the cells and nucleus. It forms the superficial most layer (stratum corneum) in keratinized epithelium of the oral cavity. Keratin may also be present in various pathologic conditions such as squamous cell carcinoma, verrucous carcinoma and odontogenic keratocyst. Aim and objective: To determine and compare the staining pattern and intensity of special stains i.e. modified Papanicolaou, Dane-Herman method and Ayoub-Shklar with respect to routinely used Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain. Materials and methods: A retrospective study was carried out on 30 formalin-fixed, paraffinembedded tissue blocks comprising of 10 cases of odontogenic keratocyst (OKC), 10 cases of verruca vulgaris (VV) and 10 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) histopathologically diagnosed (using H&E) and retrieved from archives of the Department of Oral Pathology IDST College, Modinagar. All the sections were stained with Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), modified Papanicolaou, Dane-Herman and Ayoub-Shklar stain. Results: In the present study, staining pattern and intensity was better in special stains like modified Papanicolaou, Dane-Herman and Ayoub-Shklar as compared to Hematoxylin-eosin stain. Conclusion: Keratin was well demonstrated by all the special stains such as modified Papanicolaou, Dane-Herman and Ayoub-Shklar as compared to Hematoxylin-eosin and can be used as an adjunct to routine staining methods in demonstrating keratin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]